Tuesday mornings: 10.30am-1pm; 8, 15, 22, 29 June, 6, 13 July. £125. Email kate@collage-arts.org.uk to reserve your place and receive a payment link. Virtual Writing Room via ZOOM video conference & correspondence.

‘You must write a memoir as if you’re writing a novel, you have to give it a shape.’ Blake Morrison

This course is designed for people who are new to life writing and memoir, but previous or experienced students are welcome if they would like to keep going with their projects and are happy to refresh the principles.

Over 6 weeks, we will explore the concept of writing from life – whether from our own lives or the real lives of others – looking at all the forms we can use to write the stories we want to tell. We will discuss how to shape and structure our work in a compelling and novelistic way. We will learn ways to hook our readers into our story, keep them turning the pages, charm and alarm them with our characters and reveal fascinating, relatable truths about our lives. We will investigate what is meant by a strong voice  and understand how stylistic devices like dialogue, scene building, setting description, and suspense creates a vivid world the reader can disappear inside. As well as reading extracts from published memoirists and life-writers, nominated students will have the chance to workshop extracts of their writing each week.

You can progress to Life Writing & Memoir Workshop in the Autumn term.

We would love to welcome you to our writing community where you can progress your work, share ideas with other writers, and focus on your writing away from distractions.